Why is it so hard to find eco-friendly lumber that doesn’t cost a fortune?

Hidden nails are the bane of my existence—my metal detector is basically my best friend at this point. I’ll run it over every board, then pry out whatever I find (and usually discover a few more the hard way). For old finishes, I’ll scrape or sand, but if it’s got that sketchy lead look, I suit up and use a HEPA vac. Sometimes I just leave the old paint if it’s stable and looks cool—call it “character,” right?

Mixing old and new wood definitely gets weird with humidity swings. I’ve had boards cup or twist after install, especially when the old stuff’s bone dry and the new’s still acclimating. These days, I try to let everything sit in the house for a week or two before working with it. Doesn’t always solve it, but it helps.